Richards is entered in the mile and two mile, while Lindsay throws the javelin and runs the 800-meters and 4-by-400m relay.

“They (Blandin, Richard and Lindsay) are all great captains,” Minihan said. “They have all been with me since freshman year.

“Nate (Richards) was the captain of our cross country team,” he said. “He was the driving force behind our (Wachusett D) league championship. He has trained throughout the year and has not been beaten in the two mile in two years.

“He is just a tremendous runner, with a lot of motivation and enthusiasm for the team,” Minihan continued. “Ryan (Lindsay) played football on the (West Boylston/Tahanto) Super Bowl team. He is a kid who is committed to training and never misses practice. He serves as a (role) model for the younger kids.”

Blandin’s events are the 200m, 400m, long jump and discus.

“Connor (Blandin) is a sprinter and a teacher, who motivates the middle-school kids on the team,” Minihan said. “He has really stepped up as a person who is committed to the entire team. He scored in four events against Littleton, which is tough to do.”

Hughson is on the 4-by-100s relay team, runs the 200m and throws the shot put. Nowick, the top 100m sprinter, also throws the javelin.

Pacheco is entered in the high jump, the 400m, and the 4-by-400 relay, while Souza does the 400m and 4-by-400 relay.

“Many of the kids (seniors), I had in cross country,” Minihan said. “These are kids who I’ve coached in multiple sports. I think the (cross country) training, especially for the runners, has really helped.”

Other key members of the team are juniors Bryan Hayes, Ridge Pierce, Tom McCarthy, Ben Tasker and Alex Churchill. Hayes was a league all-star in football and the Defensive Most Valuable Player, while Tasker and Churchill were both league all-stars in football.

Hayes, who qualified for District competition last season, does the triple, long and high jumps, the 200m and the mile.

“Bryan (Hayes) is the best athlete on the team,” Minihan said. “He scores in all his events. He is a tremendous athlete, who is very dedicated.

“He has been on the team since the eighth grade and is one of the most unique athletes I’ve ever coached,” he said. “Ridge (Pierce) has developed into a real good 400m hurdler.

“It is nice to have the football players on the team,” Minihan continued. “I think there has been a change in the culture at Tahanto, in terms of track and cross country.

“Winning in both sports has certainly helped,” he said. “Many of the kids on the team come out and enjoy the sport, and can train for other sports too. Success breeds success.”

Other juniors on the team are Corey Bernier, Alex DeMarco, Riley MacKenzie, Connor Marshall, John Quinn, John Roche and Alex Sanginario, while the sophomores are Palmer Bigelow and Dean Herrick.

“Palmer was one of our key runners on the cross country team,” Minihan said. “He is a great two-miler and our lead 800m runner. He is a real good athlete, who has shown a commitment to training.”